For months on radio, Beyoncé has been asking the ladies to gather, unite and conquer. It appears the time for that is now.

The Houston-raised superstar and fellow singers Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Fergie (of the Black Eyed Peas) are top nominees for the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards on Jan. 31 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

The Houston-raised superstar snared a hefty 10 nominations—more than any other singer when the list was announced Wednesday. Included in the haul are prestigious nods for album of the year for "I Am... Sasha Fierce," record of the year for dramatic ballad, "Halo," and song of the year for "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)."

She also received a nomination for best traditional R&B vocal performance for her rendition of Etta James' famed "At Last." The song was taken from the movie Cadillac Records (in which Beyoncé played James) but most will remember her singing it to newly elected President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at a presidential ball on the evening of his inauguration. James loudly complained that she didn't like the singer's inauguration rendition.

Beyoncé is no lock to sweep her categories. In fact, the competition in the grandest awards of the night — album, record, and song of the year — might produce one of the tightest votes in recent Grammy history.

Swift, whose eight total nominations makes her second only to Beyoncé, has a nod in each of the "Big Three" based on the success of her album "Fearless" and strong pop single "You Belong With Me." Lady Gaga also was nominated in each category and The Black Eyed Peas are strong contenders for record of the year with "I Gotta Feeling," and album of the year for "The E.N.D."

Grammy night won't all be about the ladies, though. Kanye West and will.i. am, apl.de.ap and Taboo of The Black Eyed Peas who (along with their female lead Fergie) received six nominations.

Lady Gaga got five nominations, but probably deserved six. Though she is, without a doubt, the most popular breakout pop star of 2009 she is not eligible for a nomination in the best new artist category because "Just Dance," the first single off her debut album, "The Fame," received a Grammy nomination last year. Guidelines don't allow any artist who has previously been nominated for a Grammy to compete for best new artist honors.

It's a quirk in the system that even Neil Portow, the President of the National Academy of the Recording Arts and Sciences says will be reviewed. "There will be some changes so that particular situation won't repeat itself," he said, following the announcement of nominations.

One lady who will most likely skip the Grammys : Whitney Houston. Despite a much-hyped and well-received comeback album, "I Look To You," the one-time Grammy staple (six wins, 24 nominations) received no nominations.